Morphing into superhero kids in Montclair

Benjamin Esser, 7, creates his own superhero character, "Crayolaman," during a recent "I'm a Superhero!" workshop held by Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.). The free workshop seeks to boost self-confidence in kids through the creation of superheroes. The next session is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25.

Workshop builds self-esteem in youth

What do Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and Captain America have in common?

They all have confidence ... super confidence.

The question is, how can the community tap this resource capable of defeating super villains like Magneto and Galactus and put it to work in a positive way for the children of Montclair?

And that's where the upcoming "I'm a Superhero!" workshop comes in.

On Saturday, Jan. 25, Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) will pair with certified creativity coach Gioya McRae of Mocha Mind Communications for their second "I'm a Superhero!" workshop. Free to Montclair residents, the workshop pairs parents and caretakers with their children and asks them to create their own superheroes with individual strengths, powers and moral codes.

"We all look up to superheroes because we see the confidence in them," said Cynthia Walker, the founder of S.O.F.I.A. "The goal is to use this perception to build confidence in our children as well."

"Our kids these days receive so many negative messages," said McRae. "They get these messages from their peer groups or unfortunately from their parents or caregivers. This is a way of bringing kids out and bringing up their self esteem."

McRae told The Times that the goal of the workshop is to get kids to ask themselves the question, "What am I good at?"

"There are many things that kids are good at that they don't necessarily see as a power," said McRae. "They can be kind to people, good listeners, smart ... any normal trait that they have could be a superpower. Even if kids don't get negative messages about these traits, they don't always get encouraged either. We want to say, 'Oh, you're really good at math,' or 'You're really good at drawing.' That's a power there."

During the two-hour workshop, budding Montclair superheroes get to draw themselves as a character, as well as pick out their costume and powers. But much more importantly, said McRae, they are all asked the one question that all superheroes are faced with: "Who do I want to help?"

By the time they leave, participants and their parents have discussed this question and have an idea of how their superhero - and their own abilities - can make the world a better place.

During the first S.O.F.I.A.-led "I'm a Superhero!" workshop held in November, participants came up with unique superheroes such as "Truthia," who is able to detect lies in everyone, and "Crayolaman," who is able to make his drawings come to life. Walker and McRae said that they look forward to seeing all the other superheroes that the workshop's participants come up with.

Walker suggested that guardians and children interested in participating in Saturday's workshop pre-register as soon as possible at 973-932-0530, or info@supportsofia.org. Each workshop allows for 12 superhero teams (child and guardian); extra teams will be put on the waiting list for future "I'm a Superhero!" events.

"I just hope that kids will gain enough confidence that they can start to reach out to other kids and stand up for them," said McRae.

"In a lot of communities you have people left to themselves with no unity, and I think that just knowing that you can help someone else is a great way to bring up your own self-confidence."